Merle Crooks

Merle F. Crooks, age 84 of Nashua died Sunday, January 23, 2011, at the 11th Street Chautauqua Guest Home in Charles City. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 29, 2011, at the United Methodist Church, Nashua, with Pastor Okitakoyi Lundula officiating. Soloist will be Janice Edson with Mary Jean Parks accompanying on organ. Musical selections include “The Old Rugged Cross,” “Amazing Grace,” and 'Because He Lives.' Interment will be in Oak Hill Cemetery with Paul Crooks, John Crooks, Richard Clipperton, Rick Crooks, Sean Crooks, and Kevin Crooks serving as pallbearers. Full military honors will be conducted graveside by the Nashua V.F.W. Post #6792. Friends may greet the family 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Friday, January 28, 2011, at the Hugeback & Chenoweth Funeral Home in Nashua. Visitation continues an hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Merle Francis Crooks was born September 20, 1926, in Nashua, IA, the son of Harry and Mae (Havig) Crooks. He graduated from Nashua High School in 1944. In 1945, Merle enlisted in the Army Air Force. He worked as an airplane mechanic in Germany. In 1947, he was honorably discharged and returned to Iowa. He then continued his education at Upper Iowa University in Fayette, graduating in 1950 with his Bachelors of Science degree. On July 20, 1952, Merle was united in marriage to Jane Sorenson at the First Christian Church in Spencer, IA. To this union, two sons were born. The couple lived in Charles City for a number of years. Merle worked as a self employed contractor and built a number of homes in the area. He was very proud of his restoration work on the swinging bridge in Charles City. Merle also bought and sold industrial equipment. His hobbies included buying antique furniture and restoring it and working on woodworking projects of all types. Merle is survived by his wife of 59 years, Jane; two sons, John (Colleen) Crooks of Chillicothe, OH, Paul (Annette) Crooks of Aubrey, TX; four grandchildren, Carolyn Crooks of Aubrey, TX, Alison Crooks of Aubrey, TX, Sean (Kate) Crooks of Pittsburg, PA, and Kevin Crooks of Morristown, NJ; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Don Crooks and three in infancy; three sisters, Lucille Kolesar, Doris Lubbert, and Marian Litterer.